Photo taken on a marine surveillance plane B-3837 on Dec. 13, 2012 shows the Diaoyu Islands and nearby islands. A Chinese marine surveillance plane was sent to join vessels patrolling the territorial waters around the Diaoyu Islands on Thursday morning, according to China's maritime authorities. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese marine surveillance plane was sent to join vessels patrolling the territorial waters around the Diaoyu Islands on Thursday morning, according to China's maritime authorities.

The plane, B-3837, arrived in the area at about 10 a.m. and conducted joint patrols with a fleet of four surveillance ships, said a statement issued by the State Oceanic Administration on Thursday afternoon. Full story